Summer 2013

Cooperation in aerospace

Aerospace Strategy Group France (Aerospace Strategiegroep Frankrijk) and AgentschapNL have entered into a partnership in order to enhance the position of the Dutch aerospace industry on the French market. The parties aim to achieve this through promotion and the exchange of knowledge in the field of composites and engines. The partnership was established in the context of the Partners for International Business programme. TenCate Advanced Composites is one of the partners.

TenCate Advanced Composites is involved as a partner in the Aerospace Strategy Group France, which also includes Airborne Composites, Dutch Thermoplastic Components DTC, Fokker Technologies Holding, KVE Composites Group and the National Aerospace Laboratory NLR. Each of these Dutch companies and knowledge institutes brings with it its own specialization in the field of composites and / or engines for the aerospace industry. The aim of this collaboration is to enhance the position and the revenues of the Dutch aerospace industry on the French market. This will be achieved through promotion and the exchange of knowledge in the field of high-tech composites and engines.

Production and assembly at Airbus, headquartered in France (picture: Airbus)

France is an important country for aerospace, explains Frank Meurs (group director, TenCate Advanced Composites EMEA). The headquarters of Airbus are located in the southern French city of Toulouse and other major OEMs and Tier 1 players like Dassault and Safran are also established in this country. ‘By presenting ourselves jointly as a Dutch composites knowledge cluster, you increase the visibility of the unique technology we have in the Netherlands. In order to market thermoplastics, you need cooperation in the development phase. The PIB is not involved explicitly in thermoplastics, but together we are unique in this.’

Assembling a wing (picture: Airbus)

Frank Meurs believes that by acting jointly, TenCate increases the opportunity to ensure a high level of participation in innovation projects. ‘By being a part of this strategy group you get to attend events at which you can make useful contacts. Quite a few representatives of the above-mentioned companies for example visited the recent workshop-cum-matchmaking event at the residence of the ambassador in Paris. So I expect a broadening of our network and of our collaboration in development. And we will also carry more political weight, which is a not insignificant factor in the world of aerospace.’